WORKSABOUTCONTACT
Header image for Cor et Âme concert poster, highlighting rainbow-colored reflections inspired by Palais des Congrès.

visual communication :  COR ET ÂME

ABOUT WORK

Cor et Âme is a French horn concerto composed by Canadian composer Denis Gougeon and premiered in 2015 by John Zirbel, principal horn player of the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal. Known for their contributions to contemporary classical music, both artists bring emotional depth and technical mastery to this piece, creating a powerful, introspective soundscape.

An image of the Palais de Congrès, showcasing the rainbow coloured glass that inspired the poster.

While listening to the piece, I was struck by its swirling, emotive quality—an ebb and flow between stillness and momentum. I began exploring visuals that could reflect these feelings, initially imagining a portal to represent the cyclical and layered nature of the composition. My goal was to create something immersive and dreamlike, mirroring the sensation of being drawn into another realm.

I found inspiration in the vibrant, rainbow-colored windows of Palais des Congrès in Montreal—an architectural space that feels both grounded and surreal. The translucent hues and geometric divisions felt like a visual echo of the music’s tonal shifts. I used these colors and forms as the core of the poster’s composition, balancing whimsy with elegance.

Concert poster for Cor et Âme by Denis Gougeon and John Zirbel, featuring layered geometric shapes and rainbow colored panels from Palais de Congrès, with bold, angled typography.
A mockup showcasing the Cor Et Âme poster on the wall. Credits to rawpixel.com.

The final design evokes the emotional spirit of Cor et Âme through its luminous palette and ethereal atmosphere. By aligning the visual language with the concert’s introspective tone, the poster captures both the intensity and the lightness embedded in the music, resulting in a piece that is both striking and meditative.